A hospital trust is investing &#xA3;1.7 million in nursing to boost flagging staff numbers.

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust will spend it on providing much-needed help on wards across hospital sites throughout Northumberland and North Tyneside.

A survey has found the trust has one of the lowest ratios in the country of doctors and nurses to beds. Now funding is to be directed toward creating extra wards and departments and attracting staff. Skilled theatre staff will also be needed for a new surgery centre at Hexham General Hospital which is due to open later this year.

Director of nursing Rosemary Stephenson said: "We've been fighting long and hard for funding for more staff.

"More staff on the wards will mean nurses will free up time for education and training, something this trust wholeheartedly supports in a changing NHS."